Those who own pets, especially dogs, may enjoy better heart health, says a new report from the American Heart Association.
Researchers reviewed data collected as part of multiple studies on heart health in adults. One of the studies examined the over health of 5,200 and found that they those who had dogs were significantly more active. Dog owners were, in fact, 54 percent more likely to fall within the general advised daily activity levels suggested for a healthy life style.
Dr. Glenn N. Levine, lead researcher from Baylor University, spoke on their findings:
"Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. We didn't want to make this too strong of a statement," Levine said in an interview with the New York Times. "But there are plausible psychological, sociological and physiological reasons to believe that pet ownership might actually have a causal role in decreasing cardiovascular risk," he explained.
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